Politics
Catalan Parliament Directs €35 Million to Eixample Libraries and Youth Centers
The measure directs 35 million euros from the regional budget toward Eixample libraries and youth centers while trimming allocations for street maintenance crews in parts of the district.
How we reported this
The Catalan Parliament passed the Local Services Grants Bill on July 7. The legislation changes how regional funds reach Barcelona districts including Eixample. It increases support for after-school programs and public library hours while cutting line items for routine street cleaning contracts.
Why the change arrives now
Regional budget papers released in May showed that Eixample recorded higher demand for youth services than neighboring districts. The bill responds to those figures by moving money within existing totals rather than adding new spending. Policy analysts say the shift follows updated enrollment data from the 2025 school year.
Eixample residents who use district libraries stand to gain extended evening hours at the Biblioteca Sagrada Família branch. Families with children aged 6 to 14 will see more spaces in subsidized after-school clubs. Street cleaning teams operating along Carrer de València and Carrer del Consell de Cent will operate with smaller crews after the grants for those contracts are reduced.
The legislation states that Eixample receives an additional 2.5 million euros for youth programs based on current enrollment of roughly 12,000 students. Maintenance budgets for certain blocks drop by 18 percent compared with 2025 levels. Local advocates note that residents living near the affected streets may notice differences in sweeping frequency starting in September.
Next steps for implementation
City council staff in Eixample must submit revised service plans to the regional government by August 15. The government says the policy will take effect on October 1 once contracts are adjusted. No further changes to the overall regional allocation are expected before the next budget cycle.